Restoring my First MG ZTT

[Captain Crappycrimp]

Back in the mists of time I bought my first Rover 75/MG ZTT, a disappointing grey MG ZTT, at the time I knew nothing about these cars except I liked the look of them I didn't realise what a special and spec'd up car it was someone had even fitted MG Puddle lights! I loved the car and spent much money and even more hours turning her into an immaculate example of the ZTT.
I sold the car in early 2012 due to its poorMPG (I was doing 30-40k a year then) and instantly regretted it, in fact I tried to buy it back the next week but the new owner (a so called mg specialist) refused and continued to refuse to sell it back over the next year. I asked him to contact me if he ever sold it, he didn't and I lost his number, I never stopped looking for the car and by a miracle after a chat with Trikey about MK2 ZTT's I went on ebay and lo and behold there she was.
Needless to say I bought her back, paying way to much for the car with a blown turbo (which I thought was a blocked PCV) It turned out the turbo seals were gone as it had been badly maintained by the so called MG expert who had sold it to a customer and continued to ahem "service" it. I changed the PCV (which was the worst Ive ever seen) but when running the engine to clear the oil it "hydrauliced" and ate its own oil wrecking the engine and scaring the beejesus out of me (couldn't stall it as its an auto) after a nightmare recovery journey I got her home and I have begun to work through the issues as I will return her to her former glory.

The car is high spec from the factory with Xenons and washers, FBH (originally with the mythical 3 button remote sadly they did not come back with the car.) Highline system (still fully working) aftermarket Parrot 3100 hands free kit, electric memory Alcantara seats, cruise and traction control (loom for all the other bits in place) powerfolds, carpeted heater side covers, storage cubby covers, dog guard, auto dimming mirror and sunroof

What needs doing?

New engine (obviously) planned for an engine swap on 18th June.
check all mechanicals, the engine bay was a right state mostly held together by cable ties!
clean engine bay
Clean air intake manifold (now done)
Clean intercooler (in progress)
stainless bolts to replace rusted originals
EGR bypass (already on replacement engine)
New turbo pipe and o rings
Full service
Artic handbrake compensator (if still available)

New front and rear bumpers as the previous owner parked by ramming the bumpers into things and they are beyond saving.
Polish opaque headlights (done took 3 kits to get them clear again!)
address surface rust on cross member (done)
replace scuttle panel as its snapped in 3 places
repaint front wing where clearcoat has flaked off (done)
remove womble hook from rear and sort butchered electrics
Replace Off side rear light cluster (I have spares )
clean and polish the otherwise good bodywork
Sort incomplete underseal (are all Mk2 ZTT/rover 75s like this?)
Restore Gridspokes all very badly curbed, which is annoying as they were immaculate when I sold her! Im thinking Shadowchrome

Replace Rhodium dash with walnut (goes really well with ash grey interior)(done)
Replace destroyed drivers seat (hopefully soon thanks to help from a forum member in the wanted section)
retrofit PPD tourer tool tray (done)
have climate unit converted to blue same for light switches.
retrofit cupholders into replacement rear seats.

Get her valeted!

I will post updates and hopefully photos if I figure out how documenting her return to cherished condition.

[Daveluck]

Originally Posted by Shadomobile

Back in the mists of time I bought my first Rover 75/MG ZTT, a disappointing grey MG ZTT, at the time I knew nothing about these cars except I liked the look of them I didn't realise what a special and spec'd up car it was someone had even fitted MG Puddle lights! I loved the car and spent much money and even more hours turning her into an immaculate example of the ZTT.
I sold the car in early 2012 due to its poorMPG (I was doing 30-40k a year then) and instantly regretted it, in fact I tried to buy it back the next week but the new owner (a so called mg specialist) refused and continued to refuse to sell it back over the next year. I asked him to contact me if he ever sold it, he didn't and I lost his number, I never stopped looking for the car and by a miracle after a chat with Trikey about MK2 ZTT's I went on ebay and lo and behold there she was.
Needless to say I bought her back, paying way to much for the car with a blown turbo (which I thought was a blocked PCV) It turned out the turbo seals were gone as it had been badly maintained by the so called MG expert who had sold it to a customer and continued to ahem "service" it. I changed the PCV (which was the worst Ive ever seen) but when running the engine to clear the oil it "hydrauliced" and ate its own oil wrecking the engine and scaring the beejesus out of me (couldn't stall it as its an auto) after a nightmare recovery journey I got her home and I have begun to work through the issues as I will return her to her former glory.

The car is high spec from the factory with Xenons and washers, FBH (originally with the mythical 3 button remote sadly they did not come back with the car.) Highline system (still fully working) aftermarket Parrot 3100 hands free kit, electric memory Alcantara seats, cruise and traction control (loom for all the other bits in place) powerfolds, carpeted heater side covers, storage cubby covers, dog guard, auto dimming mirror and sunroof

What needs doing?

New engine (obviously) planned for an engine swap on 18th June.
check all mechanicals, the engine bay was a right state mostly held together by cable ties!
clean engine bay
Clean air intake manifold (now done)
Clean intercooler (in progress)
stainless bolts to replace rusted originals
EGR bypass (already on replacement engine)
New turbo pipe and o rings
Full service
Artic handbrake compensator (if still available)

New front and rear bumpers as the previous owner parked by ramming the bumpers into things and they are beyond saving.
Polish opaque headlights (done took 3 kits to get them clear again!)
address surface rust on cross member (done)
replace scuttle panel as its snapped in 3 places
repaint front wing where clearcoat has flaked off (done)
remove womble hook from rear and sort butchered electrics
Replace Off side rear light cluster (I have spares )
clean and polish the otherwise good bodywork
Sort incomplete underseal (are all Mk2 ZTT/rover 75s like this?)
Restore Gridspokes all very badly curbed, which is annoying as they were immaculate when I sold her! Im thinking Shadowchrome

Replace Rhodium dash with walnut (goes really well with ash grey interior)(done)
Replace destroyed drivers seat (hopefully soon thanks to help from a forum member in the wanted section)
retrofit PPD tourer tool tray (done)
have climate unit converted to blue same for light switches.
retrofit cupholders into replacement rear seats.

Get her valeted!

I will post updates and hopefully photos if I figure out how documenting her return to cherished condition.

[zedhed]

Originally Posted by Shadomobile

Back in the mists of time I bought my first Rover 75/MG ZTT, a disappointing grey MG ZTT, at the time I knew nothing about these cars except I liked the look of them I didn't realise what a special and spec'd up car it was someone had even fitted MG Puddle lights! I loved the car and spent much money and even more hours turning her into an immaculate example of the ZTT.
I sold the car in early 2012 due to its poorMPG (I was doing 30-40k a year then) and instantly regretted it, in fact I tried to buy it back the next week but the new owner (a so called mg specialist) refused and continued to refuse to sell it back over the next year. I asked him to contact me if he ever sold it, he didn't and I lost his number, I never stopped looking for the car and by a miracle after a chat with Trikey about MK2 ZTT's I went on ebay and lo and behold there she was.
Needless to say I bought her back, paying way to much for the car with a blown turbo (which I thought was a blocked PCV) It turned out the turbo seals were gone as it had been badly maintained by the so called MG expert who had sold it to a customer and continued to ahem "service" it. I changed the PCV (which was the worst Ive ever seen) but when running the engine to clear the oil it "hydrauliced" and ate its own oil wrecking the engine and scaring the beejesus out of me (couldn't stall it as its an auto) after a nightmare recovery journey I got her home and I have begun to work through the issues as I will return her to her former glory.

The car is high spec from the factory with Xenons and washers, FBH (originally with the mythical 3 button remote sadly they did not come back with the car.) Highline system (still fully working) aftermarket Parrot 3100 hands free kit, electric memory Alcantara seats, cruise and traction control (loom for all the other bits in place) powerfolds, carpeted heater side covers, storage cubby covers, dog guard, auto dimming mirror and sunroof

What needs doing?

New engine (obviously) planned for an engine swap on 18th June.
check all mechanicals, the engine bay was a right state mostly held together by cable ties!
clean engine bay
Clean air intake manifold (now done)
Clean intercooler (in progress)
stainless bolts to replace rusted originals
EGR bypass (already on replacement engine)
New turbo pipe and o rings
Full service
Artic handbrake compensator (if still available)

New front and rear bumpers as the previous owner parked by ramming the bumpers into things and they are beyond saving.
Polish opaque headlights (done took 3 kits to get them clear again!)
address surface rust on cross member (done)
replace scuttle panel as its snapped in 3 places
repaint front wing where clearcoat has flaked off (done)
remove womble hook from rear and sort butchered electrics
Replace Off side rear light cluster (I have spares )
clean and polish the otherwise good bodywork
Sort incomplete underseal (are all Mk2 ZTT/rover 75s like this?)
Restore Gridspokes all very badly curbed, which is annoying as they were immaculate when I sold her! Im thinking Shadowchrome

Replace Rhodium dash with walnut (goes really well with ash grey interior)(done)
Replace destroyed drivers seat (hopefully soon thanks to help from a forum member in the wanted section)
retrofit PPD tourer tool tray (done)
have climate unit converted to blue same for light switches.
retrofit cupholders into replacement rear seats.

Get her valeted!

I will post updates and hopefully photos if I figure out how documenting her return to cherished condition.

Thats dedication.😉

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